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Remove "Phone Link" app

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script removes the "Phone Link" app. Known technically as Microsoft.YourPhone 1 2 3, previously Your Phone 2 3 4 5 6 and Your Phone Companion 4.

The app links your phone and Windows PC. It allows you to share and manage content and communications across devices 5 7 8. The app lets you text, make calls, use mobile apps, get notifications, and transfer files over Wi-Fi 5 7 8.

Launched in October 2018 as Your Phone and Your Phone Companion 4, it was rebranded to Microsoft Phone Link in March 2022 4 9. Originally developed for Android 8, through collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung 8, it has extended support to iOS devices since April 26, 2023 10.

Privacy concerns arise from personal data handling, unencrypted data transfer, and potential misuse:

  • No End-to-End Encryption: It is not end-to-end encrypted, raising doubts about data privacy and security during transfers 11.
  • Microsoft personal data collection: Personal data, including text messages, clipboard contents, photos, and notifications, are collected by Microsoft 6. Microsoft confirms it stores and processes such data 6.
  • Malicious Usage: Misuse of the app, such as setting it up on a victim's phone to monitor communications without consent 12 13, increases data leakage risks.
  • Lack of Privacy Transparency: The Microsoft Privacy Statement does not explicitly clarify that personal data is relayed through its servers, leading to possible misconceptions about data handling 6 14. Microsoft's approach to privacy is criticized for lacking transparency 6 11.
  • Sensitive Information Exposure: Data exposed to Microsoft, or can be received by an attacker can include sensitive information such as the content of private messages, security codes from authentication apps, caller identities, and more 6 12. This can contain personal, financial, or security-related data 6 12.
  • Diagnostic Data Collection: The app collects diagnostic data, including potentially sensitive information about app usage 6.
  • Account Takeover: The app could be used in account takeover attempts by intercepting multi-factor authentication notifications 12.
  • Attack vector surface on Android: Android devices face more potential attack vectors than iOS devices due to internet-based connectivity 12.

This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows 2 3.

Caution

Its absence may affect your workflow if you rely on its features for daily tasks. Consider KDE Connect for similar, privacy-friendly features.

Overview of default preinstallation​

OSVersionExistence
Windows 1019H2✅
Windows 1020H2✅
Windows 1021H2✅
Windows 1022H2✅
Windows 1121H2✅
Windows 1122H2✅
Windows 1123H2✅
Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help
  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help
  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Uninstall 'Microsoft.YourPhone' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'Microsoft.YourPhone' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'Microsoft.YourPhone' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
Help
  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots

Similar Guides​

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Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Phone apps 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Remove "Phone Companion" app
Remove "Microsoft Phone" app
Remove "Call" app

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process